Pastoral Care
A CARING SCHOOL
As well as being a school noted for excellence in achievement, the quality of pastoral care we provide for our students is seen as a model of good practice throughout the County. We organise our system of pastoral care on a ‘Year’ basis and each child has a Form Tutor who is responsible for monitoring the welfare and progress of the group of children in his/her form. The work of the Form Tutors is coordinated by a Head of Year, supported by a Student Support Worker and a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
The Head of Year will help new students entering the school, at any time in the year, to be welcomed into appropriate social and academic groups. As well as encouraging students to do their best within lessons, the Tutor and Head of Year encourage the involvement in extracurricular activities.
TRANSITION FROM YEAR 6
We have an excellent transition process in school led by the Head of Year 7. We visit the feeder and many of the out of catchment primary schools and put on a number of Transition Days throughout the year to ensure that the move from primary to secondary school is as smooth as it can be.
HOUSE SYSTEM
The school is divided ‘vertically’ into houses named after the local figures Churchill, Harcourt, Mason and Morris for such purposes as games, swimming and athletic competitions. This system helps encourage cooperation between students of different ages and a sense of tradition, particularly in families.
REWARDS
We have an excellent system in the school that rewards good work and behaviour. Year 7 and Year 8 have merits which are accompanied by certificates home when they reach certain benchmarks. Years 9, 10 and 11 receive postcards home which are also accompanied by letters when they reach certain levels.
SCHOOL COUNSELLOR
The School Counsellor is a part-time member of the school's staff and is available to talk in confidence with students and/or parents, on an appointment basis, about worries and difficulties they may be experiencing. We also have a team of student counsellors appointed from our Sixth Form to offer support and guidance to those in their first years at secondary school. General health information and advice can also be obtained through ‘Bodyzone’, which is based in the Youth Centre on our site. This is a service organised by the Primary Care Trust.
PARENTAL SUPPORT
There is much evidence that children do well at school when they have support from their parents and there is close contact between school and home. We encourage parents to take an interest in everything that happens in school, to attend parents' evenings and support out of school activities. Parents are always welcome in the school and we hope that all will encourage children to work hard and persevere with difficulties and be positive about their educational opportunities.
When you join the school we give parents a folder of information that includes our Partnership Agreement which outlines the responsibilities for each group in the partnership: students, parents and teachers. Although there are no signed contracts, we expect each group to honour the expectations outlined in this agreement.
We will do all we can to care for your child: if we work as a partnership then each child should develop their full potential during their time at the school.